Running Spiders almost never rest. They are always on the hunt and use their silk to build a small shelter for the occasional break and mealtime.

Running spiders, or sac spiders, do not form webs. Instead they hunt their prey with lightning-quick speed. They are fast and stealthy, ambushing insects that are either unaware of their presence or unable to flee.

The dark reddish head and thorax are in contrast from the tan abdomen. Hind legs are the lightest of the eight, appearing almost white. Their pedipalps are feelers in the front of the face and are large enough to be mistaken for a 5th pair of legs, albeit shorter ones.

All spiders (except Cribellate Orbweavers) have venom used to immobilize or kill their prey. This particular genus of spider is said to have a pretty painful bite to humans, though their venom is not dangerous like a Black Widow or Brown Recluse's. That said, a few reports of an infection arising at the bite site (possibly from scratching or touching it) have been made as well as a lengthy healing time. As every body is different, see a medical professional if you think a spider bite is getting worse or more painful.

Basic Information

Common Name: Running Spider

Scientific Name:Trachelas sp.

Category: Spider

General Identification

Size (Adult; Length): 3mm to 10mm (0.12in to 0.39in)

Identifying Colors: red; brown; white; tan

Additional Descriptors: biting, venomous, fast

Taxonomic Hierarchy

Kingdom:Animalia

Phylum:Arthropoda

Class:Arachnida

Order:Araneae

Family:Corrinidae

Genus:Trachelas

Species:sp.

Spider Anatomy (Typical)

1

Legs: Spiders have four pairs of legs and these are attached to the cephalothorax.

2

Pedipalps: Small appendages near the mouth used as taste and smell organs.

3

Cephalothorax: Contains eyes, head, mouthparts, and legs.

4

Abdomen: Contains various organs related to digestion, reproduction, and web-making.

5

Spinnerets: Used in the production of spider silk for fashioning webs or catching prey.

NOTE: Unlike insects, spiders have both an endoskeleton (internal) and exoskeleton (external).

Territorial Reach (A-to-Z)

Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed below as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections below indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.

The map below showcases (in red) the states and territories of North America where the Running Spider may be found (but is not limited to). This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species' given lifespan. Some species are naturally confined by environment, weather, mating habits, food resources and the like while others see widespread expansion across most, or all, of North America.